casual2=Total destruction of the Angmar forces, except the Witch-king|

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|casual2=Total destruction of the Angmar forces, except the Witch-king|

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The '''Battle of Fornost''' was the climatic battle that defeated the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] and his armies.

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The '''Battle of Fornost''' was the climatic battle that defeated the [[Witch-king of Angmar]], and his armies.

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== Prelude ==

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In {{TA|1409}}, the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] invaded the kingdom of [[Arnor]].<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> After centuries of conflict, in {{TA|1974|n}}, [[Arthedain]] (the last remnant of Arnor) was destroyed in the [[Fall of Fornost]] by the Witch-king's armies. Its remaining forces fled west over the river [[Lune]] into the realm of [[Lindon]], and its last king, [[Arvedui]], perished in the [[Icebay of Forochel]] in 1975.<ref name="Eriador">{{App|Eriador}}</ref>

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However, in {{TA|1973}} messages were sent to King [[Eärnil II]] of [[Gondor]] that they were in great straits, and that Angmar was preparing its final assault. The King sent his son Prince [[Eärnur]], with a fleet of ships to Lindon to aid the northern [[Dunedain]]. But it was too late. Before the fleet reached Lindon, two years later, Arthedain had fallen and its people were taking refuge in the [[Grey Havens]].

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== Leading Up to the Battle ==

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When Eärnur reached the Havens there was much joy and wonder among Elves and Men. So many ships came that the fleet could barely find harborage, even after filling [[Forlond]], [[Harlond (Lindon)|Harlond]], and the Havens; and from them issued a host of Gondor. To the Elves and Men of the north seemed like a vast host, when in fact it was just a small force compared to the full might of Gondor. Not just Gondorian soldiers came, many were also from the realm of [[Rhovanion (Realm)|Rhovanion]] with their horses from the [[Vales of Anduin]]. [[Círdan]], Lord of Lindon, summoned all who would fight from both his realm and the remnants of the [[Dúnedain of the North]]. When all the preparations were finished this allied host of Gondor, Lindon, and Arthedain marched east across the river Lune to challenge Witch-king. He was dwelling in [[Fornost]], which was populated with his minions, usurping the house and rule of the kings.<ref name="Gondor">{{App|Gondor}}</ref>

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By the year [[Third Age 1975 | 1975]], the kingdom of [[Arnor]] had been at war with the land of Angmar for six hundred nineteen years, and In the previous year of [[Third Age 1974 |1974]], Arnor was destroyed in the [[Fall of Fornost]] by the Witch-king's armies. The remnants of it's forces fled west over the river [[Lune]] to the realm of [[Lindon]], and it's last king, [[Arvedui]], perished in the [[Icebay of Forochel]] in 1975.

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Although two years previous, in [[Third Age 1973 | 1973]] Arnor sent a message to King [[Eärnil II]] of [[Gondor]] that they were in great straits, and that Angmar was preparing it final assault . The King sent his son Prince [[Eärnur]], with a fleet of ships to Lindon to aid Arnor. But it was too late. Before the fleet reached Lindon, which was two years later, Arnor had fallen and its people were taking refuge in the [[Grey Havens]].

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When Eärnur reached the Havens there was much joy and wonder among Elves and Men. Because there were so many ships that the fleet could barely find harborage, even after filling [[Forlond]], [[Harlond]], and the Havens; and from them came a large host of Gondor. Which to the Elves and Men seemed like a vast host, when in fact it was just a small force compared to the full might of Gondor. Not just Gondorian soldiers came, many were actually from the realm of [[Rhovanion]] with there fare horses from the [[Vales of the Anduin |Anduin Vales]].

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[[Círdan]] who was the Lord of Lindon, summoned all who would from both his realm and the remnants of the [[Dúnedain of the North]]. When all the preparations were finished this allied host of Gondor, Lindon, and Arnor marched north across the river Lune, to challenge Witch-king. Who was now dwelling in [[Fornost]], which was populated with his minions, usurping the house and rule of the kings.

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== The Battle ==

== The Battle ==

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News of their march soon came to the Witch-king. In his pride he sent his men out to meet them instead of waiting for battle within the fortress-like city, thinking he could drive them back over the Lune as before.

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The Allies had passed over the southern [[Hills of Evendim]] and they met the forces of Angmar on the plains between Nenuial and Fornost. A great battle ensued. When Angmar forces began to retreat back to Fornost out of the north came the main body of the Allies' horsemen, which had passed around the hills to come down and scatter the enemy in a rout. The Witch-king, with all that he could rally, fled north to the lands of Angmar. Before he could make it safely to his old fortress of [[Carn Dûm]] he was overtaken by the cavalry of Gondor with Prince Eärnur at its head. Simultaneously a force led by [[Glorfindel]] came up out of [[Rivendell]]. These two forces so utterly crushed the host of Angmar that not a single Man or Orc of that realm remained west of the [[Misty Mountains]].

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It didn't take long before news of their march came to the Witch-king. And in his pride he sent his men out to meet them instead of waiting for battle behind his fortress-like city, thinking he could drive them back over the Lune as before.

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However, when all was lost the Witch-king appeared, singled out Eärnur, and rode upon him with a cry. The Prince could have withstood him but his horse was so frightened that, while baring him, fled far away before he could master it. As the Witch-king laughed at this, Glorfindel rode up on his white horse, and in mid laugh the Witch-king fled into the darkness of the night. After hundreds of years the war was over. Eärnur returned, and the Elf-lord said: "Do not pursue him! He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall".<ref name="Gondor"/>

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The Allies had past of over the southern [[Hills of Evendim]] when they were met by the forces of Angmar in the plains between Nenuial and Fornost. A great battle began, and when Angmar forces began to retreat back to Fornost. When out of the north came the main body of the Allies' horsemen which had past around the hills came down and scattered in a rout. The Witch-king, with all that he could rally, fled north to the lands of Angmar. But before he could make it to the safety of his old fortress of [[Carn Dûm]] he was overtaken by the cavalry of Gondor with Prince Eärnur at its head. At the same time a force led by [[Glorfindel]] came up out of [[Rivendell]]. Then so utterly was Angmar defeated that not single a Man or Orc of that realm remained west of the [[Misty Mountains]].

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When all was lost the Witch-king appeared and singled out Eärnur with all of his hatred, and rode upon him with a cry. The Prince could have withstood him but his horse was so frightened that, while baring him, fled far away before he could master it.

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As the Witch-king laughed at this, Glorfindel rode up on his white horse, and in mid laugh the Witch-king fled into the darkness of the night. After hundreds of years the war was over. Eärnur returned, and the Elf-lord said: "Do not pursue him! He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall.".

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== Aftermath ==

== Aftermath ==

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The North was freed from the evil of realm of Angmar. But since Arthedain had been destroyed those Dúnedain that remained became a nomadic people, the [[Rangers of the North]]. [[Aranarth]] son of King Arvedui became their [[Chieftain]].<ref name="Eriador"/>

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Thus the North was freed from the evil of realm of Angmar, but [[Arnor]] was no more. Those Dúnedain that remained became the [[Rangers of the North]], their first chieftain being [[Aranarth]] son of King Arvedui.

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The Witch-king eventually made it to [[Mordor]] in {{TA|1980|n}}, where he gathered the [[Nazgûl]]. In {{TA|2000}} they besieged [[Minas Ithil]] and two years later took it. In {{TA|2043|n}}, the Witch-king sent a challenge to Eärnur who had become king that same year, but the challenge was ignored. Years later in {{TA|2050|n}} a second challenge was sent, and this time Eärnur accepted. He rode alone to Minas Ithil, now Minas Morgul, and was never seen again. Following the loss of this last king the realm of Gondor was then ruled by the [[Stewards]].<ref name="TA"/>

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The Witch-king eventually made it to [[Mordor]] in [[Third Age 1980 | T.A. 1980]], where he gathered the [[Nazgûl]] to later in [[Third Age 2000 |T.A. 2000]] siege [[Minas Ithil]]. In [[Third Age 2043 | T.A. 2043]], a challenge was issued to King Eärnur who had become king that same year, but the challenge he ignored. Years later in [[Third Age 2050 | T.A. 2050]] a second challenge was sent, and this time Eärnur accepted. He rode alone to Minas Ithil- now Minas Morgul- and was never seen again.

However, in T.A.1973 messages were sent to King Eärnil II of Gondor that they were in great straits, and that Angmar was preparing its final assault. The King sent his son Prince Eärnur, with a fleet of ships to Lindon to aid the northern Dunedain. But it was too late. Before the fleet reached Lindon, two years later, Arthedain had fallen and its people were taking refuge in the Grey Havens.

When Eärnur reached the Havens there was much joy and wonder among Elves and Men. So many ships came that the fleet could barely find harborage, even after filling Forlond, Harlond, and the Havens; and from them issued a host of Gondor. To the Elves and Men of the north seemed like a vast host, when in fact it was just a small force compared to the full might of Gondor. Not just Gondorian soldiers came, many were also from the realm of Rhovanion with their horses from the Vales of Anduin. Círdan, Lord of Lindon, summoned all who would fight from both his realm and the remnants of the Dúnedain of the North. When all the preparations were finished this allied host of Gondor, Lindon, and Arthedain marched east across the river Lune to challenge Witch-king. He was dwelling in Fornost, which was populated with his minions, usurping the house and rule of the kings.[4]

The Battle

News of their march soon came to the Witch-king. In his pride he sent his men out to meet them instead of waiting for battle within the fortress-like city, thinking he could drive them back over the Lune as before.
The Allies had passed over the southern Hills of Evendim and they met the forces of Angmar on the plains between Nenuial and Fornost. A great battle ensued. When Angmar forces began to retreat back to Fornost out of the north came the main body of the Allies' horsemen, which had passed around the hills to come down and scatter the enemy in a rout. The Witch-king, with all that he could rally, fled north to the lands of Angmar. Before he could make it safely to his old fortress of Carn Dûm he was overtaken by the cavalry of Gondor with Prince Eärnur at its head. Simultaneously a force led by Glorfindel came up out of Rivendell. These two forces so utterly crushed the host of Angmar that not a single Man or Orc of that realm remained west of the Misty Mountains.

However, when all was lost the Witch-king appeared, singled out Eärnur, and rode upon him with a cry. The Prince could have withstood him but his horse was so frightened that, while baring him, fled far away before he could master it. As the Witch-king laughed at this, Glorfindel rode up on his white horse, and in mid laugh the Witch-king fled into the darkness of the night. After hundreds of years the war was over. Eärnur returned, and the Elf-lord said: "Do not pursue him! He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall".[4]

Aftermath

The North was freed from the evil of realm of Angmar. But since Arthedain had been destroyed those Dúnedain that remained became a nomadic people, the Rangers of the North. Aranarth son of King Arvedui became their Chieftain.[3]

The Witch-king eventually made it to Mordor in 1980, where he gathered the Nazgûl. In T.A.2000 they besieged Minas Ithil and two years later took it. In 2043, the Witch-king sent a challenge to Eärnur who had become king that same year, but the challenge was ignored. Years later in 2050 a second challenge was sent, and this time Eärnur accepted. He rode alone to Minas Ithil, now Minas Morgul, and was never seen again. Following the loss of this last king the realm of Gondor was then ruled by the Stewards.[2]